The below are some photos taken during the summer retreat of the Kumagai Seminar held from Friday, the 1st to Sunday, the 3rd of August in 2008 at Hotaiji-Rinzai Zen-Temple in Shizuoka. At first, we strolled into nearby streets to enjoy leisurely lunch, did grocery shopping for the breakfast, and dropped in the box-lunch store to pick up the supper for the evening. It is a pleasant surprise to find that the lady there recognized us when we entered the store.

The topic of Japanese critique this year was "Logical Thinking and Business Communication" We enjoyed a livery discussion on the critique. In the following morning of the second day of the retreat, each student made a 15-minute short presentation on the topic of one's own choice. It is good to know that some made a well organized, clear, and logical presentation reflecting what has been learned throughout the seminar activities. The English skit on "The Crane Lady" (Tsuru no Ongaeshi) was performed extremely well by the seminar students as a result of their enthusiastic practices.

Furthermore, we had za-zen practices of meditation on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They were valuable experiences for all of us to calmly look at ourselves. Finally, we listened to Howa on Sunday on two topics, namely on the "Study of Organizing Our Mind" and "Serotonin Breathing Methods-Giving Confidence to Oneself." Lectures were extremely interesting with full of humorous episodes. They gave us hints as to how to lead our lives ahead of us. The Summer Retreat of this year is going to be the final one under my direction as I am going to retire as of the end of the current academic year in March 2009. It is very likely that I will continue to take part in teaching at Kyorin for several years afterwards. However, I am not going to be responsible for seminar activities. Recollecting over the Kumagai Seminar activities I am moved very much. I certainly did my best in guiding students who enrolled in the Seminar. It is truly sad to have had commotions and misunderstandings at times with students. I believe, however, that they all appreciated what I have done for them.

The below are some photos taken during the summer retreat of the Kumagai Seminar held from Friday, the 3rd to Sunday, the 5th of August in 2007 at Hotaiji-Rinzai Zen-Temple in Shizuoka. At first, we strolled into nearby streets to get acquainted with the area, enjoyed leisurely lunch, did grocery shopping for the breakfast, and took an hour city cruise bus tour, and picked up the box-bento for the supper.

The topic of Japanese critique this year was "What is Zen?" We enjoyed a livery discussion on the critique. Then, we read the chapter on globalization in Taking Sides, followed by the debate session on the issue. Furthermore, each student made a 10- minute short presentation on the topic of one's own choice. The English skit on "Ikkyu-san" was performed extremely well by the seminar students as a result of their enthusiastic practices.

Furthermore, we had valuable za-zen practices of meditation on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They were valuable experiences for all of us to calmly look at ourselves. Finally, we listened to Howa on Sunday on two topics, namely on "Mind, Breathing, and Body" and "Live Long Healthy with Smiling and Crying." Lectures were extremely interesting with full of humorous episodes. They gave us hints as to how to lead our lives ahead of us.

The below are some photos taken during the spring retreat of the Kumagai Seminar held from Friday, the 20th to Sunday, the 22nd of April in 2007 at the Inter-University Seminar House in Hachioji. Kumagai Seminar for the academic year 07/08 is consisted of six members, two seniors and four juniors. Two of the junior students are those who have graduated from junior colleges in March transferred to Kyorin Gaigo in April. As they are in the process of adjustment to the new environment in Kyorin, they decided not to participate in the Kumagai Seminar Spring Retreat. However, we are very appreciative for the active participation of senior students despite their busy schedule. Two junior students studied very hard, and are well prepared for challenging the weekly seminar sessions ahead.

We studied hard, exchanged our friendship, and played sports. As for the studying, although it was challenging it is good to realize that we have a long way to go to master English, substantive areas, and social issues. I found that everyone tried very hard on the self-introduction, the critique, short presentations, and all the others. I believe that experiences that they gained throughout the spring retreat will give a good orientation for various activities that will follow. Let's do our best throughout the academic year ahead of us!

The below are some photos taken during the summer retreat of the Kumagai Seminar held from Friday, the 4th of August to Sunday, the 6th of August in 2006 at Rinzai Zen-Temple Hotaiji in Shizuoka. At first, we strolled into nearby streets to get acquainted with the area, enjoyed leisurely lunch, did grocery shopping for the breakfast, and picked up the box-bento for the supper.

The topic of Japanese critique this year was "What is Zen?" We enjoyed a livery discussion on the critique. Then, we read the chapter on globalization in Taking Sides, followed by the debate session on the issue. Furthermore, each student made a 10- minute short presentation on the topic of one's own choice. Two titles of the English skit on "Clack Clack Mountain" and "Snow Woman" were performed extremely well by them by dividing the entire group into two.

Furthermore, we had valuable za-zen practices of meditation on Saturday and Sunday mornings. They were valuable experiences for all of us to calmly look at ourselves. Finally, we listened to Howa on Sunday on two topics, namely on "Relaxing our Minds" and "How to Live Long without Getting Senile?" These lectures gave us hints to our lives ahead of us.

Due to the participation to various recruitment seminars seniors were not able to participate in the spring retreat to a full extent. However, we all appreciate their willingness to take part in the retreat activities as much as they could. Furthermore, one of the junior students who registered for the Kumagai Seminar was unable to participate in because he has decided to study in England for a year.

We studied hard, exchanged our friendship, and played sports. As for the studying, although it was challenging it is good to realize that we have a long way to go to master English, substantive areas, and social issues. I found that everyone tried very hard on the self-introduction, the critique, short presentations, and all the others. I believe that experiences that they gained throughout the spring retreat will give a good orientation to all. Let's do our best throughout the academic year ahead of us!

It is good to know that all the 14 seminar members participated in the Summer Retreat in 2005 from the beginning to the end. As a consequence, we learned how to act cooperatively seminar as a whole.

Not only did we study on Japanese critique, the chapter on globalization in Taking Sides, but also did we make short presentations on the topic of our choice. Two titles of the English skit on "Momo Taro" and "Shitakiri Suzume" were performed extremely well by them by dividing the entire group into two. Furthermore, we had valuable za-zen practices of meditation, and listened to Howa as well.

This year we were supposed to have participants of eight seniors and seven juniors. Due to the job seeking activities of senior students we had only three seniors, totaling ten students participated in the retreat.

We studied hard, exchanged our friendship, and played sports. As for the studying, although it was challenging it is good to realize that we have a long way to go to master English, substantive areas, and social issues. I found that everyone tried very hard on the self-introduction, the critique, short presentations, and all the others. I believe that experiences gained throughout the spring retreat will give a good orientation to all. Let's do our best throughout the academic year ahead of us!

Not only did we study on Japanese critique, the chapter on environments and the population explosion in Taking Sides, but also did we make short presentations on the topic of our choice. Although a couple of students were not able to participate in the activities for the teaching practicum and for the summer internship, the English skit on "Urashima Taro" was performed extremely well by them altogether. Furthermore, we had valuable za-zen practices of meditation, and listened to Howa as well.

This year we had juniors only, and 11 of them all studied hard and enjoyed various activities to a full extent. I am glad to find that no one cried this year!

Both seniors and juniors had opportunities to get to know each other, and we have been well oriented toward the coming two years.

Not only did we study on Japanese critique, the chapter on the population explosion in Taking Sides, but also did we make short presentations on the topic of our choice. Although the number of students took part in the summer retreat this year was small, the English skit on "Hanasaka Jijii" was performed extremely well by them altogether. Furthermore, we had valuable za-zen practices of meditation, listened to Howa, and we were given an opportunity to watch Russian documentary picture on radiation incident.

Although the size of the seminar this year has been reduced substantially, the students are all in good spirit and are eager to study. It is good to find that oral presentations given by juniors were quite impressive indeed even at this early stage. Thanks to the congenial atmosphere of the seminar both seniors and juniors had opportunities to get to know each other, and have been well oriented toward the coming two years.

Not only did we study on Japanese critique, the final chapter on the Taking Sides, but also did we make short presentations on the topic of our choice. Furthermore, we had valuable za-zen practices of meditation, listened to Howa, and even we watched Academy Award winning picture of Erin Brocovitch by actress Julia Roberts.

Both seniors and juniors had opportunities to get to know each other, and we have been well oriented toward the coming two years.

During the retreat not only did we study the final chapter of the Taking Sides and presentations, but did we also enjoy a taste of Zazen, and learn zen culture as well. I hope you will make the best use of these valuable learning experiences.